Sec. 3.23. Protection from contamination—Item 15p

(a) Equipment and operations shall be located within the plant so as to prevent overcrowding and contamination of cleaned and sanitized containers, equipment and utensils by splash, condensation or manual contact.

(b) During processing, pipelines and equipment used to contain or conduct milk, milk products, whey, and condensed and dry milk products shall be effectively separated from tanks or circuits containing cleaning and sanitizing solutions.

(c) All milk, milk products, whey, and condensed milk products or condensed whey which have overflowed, leaked, been spilled or improperly handled shall be discarded. Milk, milk products, whey, condensed milk products and condensed whey drained from processing equipment at the end of a run, or milk or whey solids rinsed from equipment, containers or pipelines, shall be repasteurized only if such milk, milk products, whey, condensed milk products and condensed whey are handled in a sanitary manner and maintained at 45°F (7°C) or less.

(d)

(1) All product-contact surfaces of containers, equipment and utensils shall be covered or otherwise protected to prevent the access of insects, dust, condensation and other contamination. All openings, including valves and piping attached to milk or whey storage tanks and milk tank trucks, pumps or vats, shall be capped or otherwise properly protected. While unloading at a condensing and drying plant, one of the following conditions shall be met:

(i) If the unloading area is completely enclosed (walls and ceilings, with doors closed) during the unloading process and the dustcover is opened slightly and held in this position by the metal clamps used to close the cover, a filter is not required. If the dustcover and manhole cover(s) are opened in excess of that provided by the metal clamps, or the covers have been removed, a suitable filter shall be provided for the manhole.

(ii) If the unloading area is not completely enclosed or doors of the unloading area are open during unloading, a suitable filter shall be provided for the manhole or air inlet vent, and suitable protection must be provided over the filter material either by design of the filter-holding apparatus or a roof or ceiling over the unloading area. Direct connections from milk tank truck to milk tank truck must be made from valve to valve. The manhole and the dustcover (dome) of the milk tank truck beng filled shall remain closed.

(2) Receiving vats and dump vats shall be completely covered except during washing and sanitizing and when milk is being dumped. Where strainers are used, the cover for the vat opening shall be designed to cover the opening with the strainer in place.

(e) Ingredients added to milk, milk products, whey, or condensed and dry milk products shall be handled so as to avoid contamination.

(f) Air under pressure used for the agitation or movement of milk or whey, or directed at a product-contact surface, shall be free of oil, dust, rust, excessive moisture, extraneous materials and odor, and shall otherwise comply with the applicable standards of Appendix 7 of this Title. Air intakes for drying equipment shall be located so as to minimize atmospheric contamination and shall be equipped with suitable single-service filters, multiuse filters, or continuous air filter systems (see Appendix 7).

(g) Air exhausts from dryer systems shall be covered when dryers are not in operation.

(h) Whenever steam is used in contact with milk, milk products or whey, it shall be of culinary quality and shall comply with the applicable standards of Appendix 8 of this Title. The use of steam containing toxic substances is expressly prohibited.

(i) No product that may create a public health hazard shall be handled in a condensing plant or drying plant. Permission to handle products other than those defined in section 3.2 of this Part or to conduct operations or use equipment or rooms for purposes other than those for which they are designated shall be obtained from the regulatory agency prior to handling those products or conducting those operations or using that equipment or room(s).

(j) Grade A milk, milk products, whey, and condensed milk and dry milk products shall not come into contact with ungraded or lower grade milk, milk products, whey, condensed and dry milk products or with utensils or equipment which have been in contact with ungraded or a lower grade of milk, milk products, whey, or condensed and dry milk products unless such utensils and equipment have been thoroughly cleaned and effectively sanitized. Carryover of ungraded or lower grade product or any other product to grade A products shall be avoided. When two grades of milk are received in the same plant in dual receiving equipment, a swing-type dump grill is not permitted. When two grades of milk or whey are received in the plant by milk tank trucks, separate receiving equipment and unloading pumps shall be provided.

(k) Milk, milk products, whey, condensed and dry milk products, containers, utensils and equipment shall be protected from contamination by drippings, spillage and splash from overhead piping, platforms or mezzanines.

(l) All ingredients and nonproduct-contact materials used in the preparation or packaging of condensed and dry milk products shall be stored in a clean place and shall be handled so as to prevent their contamination.

(m) Pasteurized milk, milk products and condensed milk shall not be strained or filtered except through a perforated metal strainer.

(n) Poisonous or toxic materials, including but not limited to insecticides, rodenticides, detergents, sanitizers, caustics, acids and related cleaning compounds necessary for plant maintenance may be utilized, provided that such materials shall not be stored in any room where milk, milk products or whey are received, processed, pasteurized or stored, or where equipment, containers or utensils are washed, or where single-service containers, closures or bags are stored.

(o) Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored in a separate area of the plant in prominently and distinctly labeled containers.

(p) Only insecticides and rodenticides approved by the commissioner or registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall be used for insect and rodent control. Such insecticides and rodenticides shall be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's label directions and shall be utilized properly so as to prevent contamination of milk, milk products, whey, condensed and dry milk products, containers, equipment and utensils.